8 Surprising everyday habits causing your acne

Breakout Advice: 8 Surprising everyday habits causing your acne

Angela Goh

05 Jul 2016

1/8
Not changing pillowcases regularly
This one's a no-brainer. Can you imagine the amount of dust, dirt and makeup that collects on your pillowcases after a fortnight? Not to mention the sweat and saliva that you leave behind after each sleep! Oh, and if you let your pets on your bed, you're just asking for it. Washing your pillowcases every week will help to prevent a buildup of bacteria and minimise your chances of a breakout.
2/8
Talking on your phone
You may not realise this, but did you know that your mobile phone is home to 18 times more harmful bacteria than a door handle at a public restroom? This makes your phone one of the filthiest items you come into contact each day. Of course, unless you regularly give it a good clean, you'll be squishing germs onto your face each time you hold it to your ear to talk.
3/8
The fabrics you wear
Certain synthetic fibres can be the cause of breakouts on your body, especially if you're prone to acne on your back. If you wear outfits made of lycra or polyester, they will prevent your skin from breathing, trapping sweat and dead skin cells against your body and clogging your pores. Stick to natural fibres like cotton to keep things fresh!
4/8
Using dirty makeup tools
Yes, your prized makeup brushes and sponges may be a total breeding ground for bacteria and other nasties. We're sure there are some of you who have never thought to replace or disinfect your makeup tools. Well, if you want to avoid zits and spots, it might be time to consider cleaning those tools every week!
5/8
Not washing hands after eating
After popping some M&Ms into your mouth, or munching on a sweet pastry, the sugar remains on your fingers. Too lazy to wash your hands? You might eventually forget about it and scratch an itch on your cheek, or place your chin in your hands, or massage your temples when you're stressed out... yes, that could be the cause of your zits!
6/8
The laundry detergent you use
Finding yourself breaking out in strange places? It could be the type of detergent you use to wash your clothes and underwear. Certain soaps contain harsh chemicals that your skin might not appreciate. Strongly scented detergents can also cause a bad reaction and make bumps appear on your skin. If you're a really clean person but are still suffering from breakouts, it might be time to switch your detergent!
7/8
Overdrying your face
You would think that using harsh heavy-duty cleansers and astringent toners would help to dry out your oily face and hence prevent spots. Not exactly. The drier your skin, the more it tends to produce more sebum and oil to counterbalance the dryness. Stick to lightweight toners and moisturisers, and use gentle cleansers made for acne-prone skin.
8/8
Not removing your makeup
Too lazy to remove all that gunk on your face at the end of the day? If you're the type to fall into bed after a long night of partying and skip your cleansing routine altogether, you'll increase the likelihood of blocked pores and skin irritation. Let your skin breathe better - even a quick cleanse with a convenient makeup remover wipe is better than nothing!

Zits popping up regularly and have no idea why? You might need to make a few changes to your everyday routine!

We’ve given you the lowdown on which five foods could be causing your breakouts, but it’s not just your diet that you should be watching out for. Here are a whole slew of surprising habits in your normal everyday routine that could be ruining your skin and making those spots come out, red and angry!

From being lazy and not diligently removing your thick, pore-clogging makeup each night, to forgetting to wash your hands after munching on a donut, we bring you eight easily-overlooked reasons why you could be breaking out. Head up to the gallery to see which ones you’re guilty of. Yes, even the clothing you wear could be the cause of your blemishes!

Angela Goh

Photo: Getty Images

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